Trucker faces charges in Sampson girl's death

HARRELLS — A trucker has been charged in the death of a 7-year-old Sampson County girl earlier this week.

Thirty-seven-year-old Johnny Allen Spell of Roseboro was arrested Tuesday evening after police received an anonymous tip.

Alyiah McKenzie Morgan was struck as she got off a bus just north of Harrells on Tuesday afternoon.

Spell is charged with involuntary manslaughter, felony hit and run, driving a commercial vehicle while impaired and passing a stopped school bus.

The North Carolina Highway Patrol says the truck approached the stopped school bus from behind on U.S. 421 and swerved around to pass the bus, striking the girl as she tried to cross the highway to her home.

Spell was being held in the Sampson County jail. It was not clear if he has an attorney.

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